Production/Synthesis
Formaldehyde is produced when methanol is oxidized using a catalyst. The most common catalysts used are a mixture of iron oxide with molybdenum and vanadium or silver metal. In industry and commercial production, the most common method for synthesis is that of FORMOX®. In this method oxygen and methanol react at approximately 250-400 ºC in the presence of iron oxide along with molybdenum or vanadium to produce formaldehyde. (according to this equation CH3OH→ H2CO+H2
On a much smaller scale, [rather than commercial or industrial synthesis], formaldehyde is produced when converted form ethanol.
There are many alternatives to formaldehyde usage in its current products (furniture, cosmetics, glue, and antiseptics). The consequences of banning it would depend on which field it was banned in.
Human/ environmental
Formaldehyde is a flammable, colorless gas that has a strong distinct smell. It is also known as Methanal, Methylene Oxide, Oxymethline, Methylaldehyde, and Oxomethane.
Where is it used and why?
Formaldehyde is used as a biocide and a disinfectant. It kills most bacteria and fungi including their spores. It is also used as a preservative in vaccinations. It can also be applied topically to the skin to dry it in the treatment of warts. Aquarists also use formaldehyde in the elimination of the parasite Ichthyophthirius, a parasite that feeds off of freshwater fish.
One of the most common places that a person is likely to come into direct contact with it is in furniture. This is because, in industry, formaldehyde is a widely used ingredient in the production of glue for plywood and carpeting. Formaldehyde is also a common ingredient in cosmetics, cleaning products, and cigarettes.
Formaldehyde is known to cause cancer, comas, and possible death. Most exposure comes from when formaldehyde breaks down and goes into the air. This means that formaldehyde is usually absorbed through the respiratory system.
To reduce your exposure to formaldehyde, you can open your windows more often, especially when you buy new furniture. You can stop using cleaners with formaldehyde or use cleaners only when you have plenty of ventilation nearby. You can also check with manufacturers to see if the products in question contain formaldehyde.
Most politicians don't recieve much protest about this kind of thing because so many people are uninformed. But there are many alternatives this chemical which was discovered nearly a century ago. It would be a simple matter to pass a law against formaldehyde, especially with the support of people who don't like carcenigenic chemicals. However, switching to alternatives could cost companies milions. At the same time, they would benefit as a company that's "going green". This is because formaldehyde leaks into the
H2CO
H2CO(oh)2
Chemical Equations
Production/Synthesis
Formaldehyde is produced when methanol is oxidized using a catalyst. The most common catalysts used are a mixture of iron oxide with molybdenum and vanadium or silver metal. In industry and commercial production, the most common method for synthesis is that of FORMOX®. In this method oxygen and methanol react at approximately 250-400 ºC in the presence of iron oxide along with molybdenum or vanadium to produce formaldehyde. (according to this equation CH3OH→ H2CO+H2
On a much smaller scale, [rather than commercial or industrial synthesis], formaldehyde is produced when converted form ethanol.
There are many alternatives to formaldehyde usage in its current products (furniture, cosmetics, glue, and antiseptics). The consequences of banning it would depend on which field it was banned in.
Human/ environmental
Formaldehyde is a flammable, colorless gas that has a strong distinct smell. It is also known as Methanal, Methylene Oxide, Oxymethline, Methylaldehyde, and Oxomethane.
Where is it used and why?
Formaldehyde is used as a biocide and a disinfectant. It kills most bacteria and fungi including their spores. It is also used as a preservative in vaccinations. It can also be applied topically to the skin to dry it in the treatment of warts. Aquarists also use formaldehyde in the elimination of the parasite Ichthyophthirius, a parasite that feeds off of freshwater fish.
One of the most common places that a person is likely to come into direct contact with it is in furniture. This is because, in industry, formaldehyde is a widely used ingredient in the production of glue for plywood and carpeting. Formaldehyde is also a common ingredient in cosmetics, cleaning products, and cigarettes.
Formaldehyde is known to cause cancer, comas, and possible death. Most exposure comes from when formaldehyde breaks down and goes into the air. This means that formaldehyde is usually absorbed through the respiratory system.
To reduce your exposure to formaldehyde, you can open your windows more often, especially when you buy new furniture. You can stop using cleaners with formaldehyde or use cleaners only when you have plenty of ventilation nearby. You can also check with manufacturers to see if the products in question contain formaldehyde.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) http://www.fema.gov
Politcal
Most politicians don't recieve much protest about this kind of thing because so many people are uninformed. But there are many alternatives this chemical which was discovered nearly a century ago. It would be a simple matter to pass a law against formaldehyde, especially with the support of people who don't like carcenigenic chemicals. However, switching to alternatives could cost companies milions. At the same time, they would benefit as a company that's "going green". This is because formaldehyde leaks into the